In Downtown LA, Quality of Life Issues Grow, …But Crime is Down

 The Los Angeles Police Department reports crime is down, but issues related to quality of life have increased. The report came at the March 20, meeting of the Central Area Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB) held at the Central Station near Skid Row attended by four South Park residents and the LAPD senior lead officer covering South Park, Silvia Padilla.

Police officials say the department has retained the firm Blockwise to survey residents to get a better understanding of the thoughts of LA residents regarding issues in their neighborhood. Residents throughout downtown noted in this meeting and other forums that the revival of downtown has stalled since the pandemic and police aren’t addressing drug buys, street racing, homeless problems, and vagrancy issues.

The South Park neighborhood has felt the impact from a rise of “quality of life” crimes. There have been four major fires since November on South Hope and South Flower reportedly the result of people breaking into unoccupied buildings.

The Convention Center, Crypton.Com Arena, and LA Live have increased their security installing fencing and increasing private patrols. One convention manager said she was getting resistance from some exhibitors about conventions being in Downtown LA. In addition, local businesses are hardening their exterior space to prevent break-ins.

Another “quality of life” problem is the regular assembly of cars or ATV Vehicles that take over the streets in South Park. LAPD reported that “street takeovers” are the result of rival gangs using social media to post pictures with iconic LA landmarks such as Crypto.Com Arena. Officers report better intelligence gathering to identify when and where these takeovers might occur and attempt to intervene, but it is not an easy task with the volume of cars/scooters participating.

LAPD noted that the current level of staffing is at 8,700 officers well short of the 10,000 desired level. Many officers end up working overtime. Staffing levels were also an explanation of why there is a slow response time to nonviolent incidents. The LAPD’s expectation is that the BID bike patrols will pick up the slack.

         Quality of life issues were cited as concern among property owners who feel the result is sale prices not keeping pace with other neighborhoods and selling property is more problematic.

         The CPAB Board decided to return to rotating their meetings in neighborhoods. LA Job Corp at 11th and Grand and Hill offered to host a future meeting. The next CPAB (Community Police Advisory Board) Meeting is on April 17th, @ 10:00am – Central Station 1st floor Conference Room or on Zoom - https://lapd.zoom.us/j/85737666166?pwd=bvU5bGD1C3yawsVZoIxtSMmPQAjSrW.1

By Debra Shrout